The chief executive of Snap has indicated that the company is open to introducing mandatory daily usage caps for teenage users. Evan Spiegel made the remarks during a recent interview at the firm's corporate headquarters in California.
The stance comes in the wake of significant legal pressure from American state prosecutors targeting major social media networks. Meta recently reached a massive financial settlement with numerous state attorneys general over allegations that its platforms were intentionally engineered to hook young people.
As part of that agreement, Meta committed to enforcing a default two-hour daily limit for minors, alongside nighttime access restrictions and quiet hours during school. Meta subsequently urged competitors like Snap to adopt comparable guardrails.
When questioned about establishing default daily restrictions, Spiegel described the concept as a constructive path forward. He acknowledged that setting collective standards across the technology sector could yield positive results for young demographics.
While expressing a willingness to move in that direction, Spiegel stopped short of providing a specific schedule for rolling out such restrictions. He noted that internal discussions are ongoing regarding how the company might adjust its platform rules.
Snap currently provides parental oversight controls through its Family Center interface. These existing tools allow guardians to monitor certain aspects of how minors interact with the application.
The discussion surrounding teen safety measures coincides with Snap's announcement of upcoming capabilities for its augmented reality eyewear, known as Specs. Spiegel explained that the new hardware utilizes artificial intelligence to provide proactive suggestions based on user routines and objectives.
Unlike traditional chatbots that require constant user prompts, the device is designed to anticipate needs and offer recommendations automatically. The smart glasses will also support live translation across dozens of languages and allow users to stream video.
The advanced hardware will carry a steep price tag of $2,195 in the United States and £1,995 in the United Kingdom. Spiegel emphasized that the initial release targets technology enthusiasts, software developers, and corporate clients rather than the general consumer market.
Snap is positioning the device as a distinct alternative within the wearable technology landscape. The company aims to bridge the gap between bulky virtual reality headsets and lightweight smart eyewear currently available from competitors.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
